::: DIT SCORPIONS OLYMPIC HANDBALL CLUB :::

For those of you who don’t know what Olympic Handball is the easiest way to explain it is that it is a mix between soccer and basketball. How? Well it is like soccer in that you have two teams trying to score in opposite goals (there is seven on a team). And like basketball in that you pass and dribble the ball (but with a bit more contact). Come along to training and we’ll give you a proper demo.

The complete rules of handball are published by the International Handball Federation. What follows is a simplified version explaining the basic rules and regulations.

The playing area is 40 metres long and 20 metres wide. Line markings are as indicated in Fig 1, namely: Goal line, Goal area line, Penalty line, Free throw line, Side line, Centre line.

The goal line is 8cm wide. All other lines are 5cm wide and form part of the area they enclose.

The ball consists of a rubber bladder encased in single-coloured leather, the men’s model being 15 to 17 ounces in weight and 23 to 24 inches in circumference. Corresponding figures for ladies and youths are 11.5 to 14 ounces and 21 to 22 inches.

The goals are 2 metres high and 3 metres wide (internal dimensions), of wood or synthetic material, painted on all sides in two colours (usually red and white stripes) with a securely attached net. Goal posts and cross bars measure 8cm X 8cm in cross-section.

A team has twelve players of which seven may be on court at the one time. One of these seven players must be nominated as goalkeeper.

Players may enter as substitutes at any time and as often as required. A substitution may not be made until the player leaving play has left the court. Players must enter and leave the playing area in their own half of the court and within 3m of the half way line.

All players dress similarly, but the goalkeeper must be distinguishable. Player’s numbers may range from 1 to 20. Jerseys must be numbered both front and back. Watches, rings, bracelets etc. are not permitted.

The game consists of two halves each of 30 minutes, with a 10-minute interval. Each team is entitled to call one one-minute time-out per half. The referees may also call time-outs at their own discretion for interruptions in play, injury to players etc. Teams change at half time. In the case of a draw, where it has been agreed there must be a winner, a period of extra time, consisting of two periods of 5 minutes with no interval, is played.

At the start of a game the captain winning the toss has the choice of ends or throw-off. The throw-off must be taken at the centre line. All players must be in their half of the court. The nearest opponent must be at least 3 metres from the ball.

A goal is scored when the referees decide that the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line under the bar and between the two posts, provided the attacking team has not committed an offence. The game is restarted by a throw-off from the centre line, taken by the team who has just conceded the goal. Throw-offs following a goal being scored differ from a throw-off at the start of the game in that the opposition players are not required to be in their own half of the court.

The goal area is that part of the court bounded by and inside the 6-metre goal area line (fig 1). Only the goalkeeper may play on the floor area in this zone. Any ball that enters and leaves the goal area without being touched by the goalkeeper remains in play. If a player deliberately plays the ball into his own area the referees will award the following:

A goal if the ball enters the net
A penalty if the goalkeeper stops the ball crossing the goal line
A 9 metre free throw in all other cases

A free throw if the attacker has possession of the ball
A free throw if an attacker without the ball gains a clear advantage
A penalty if a defender enters deliberately to gain a clear advantage

The goalkeeper may use any part of his body to defend his goal. He has no restriction in the goal area regarding number of steps or time, but outside he is subject to the rules of court players. A penalty is awarded if a goalkeeper brings the ball into his goal area. A 9-metre free throw is awarded if a goalkeeper leaves his goal area while in possession of the ball.

· Stop, catch, throw, bounce or strike the ball in any manner and in any direction using hands (fists or open hands), arms, head, body, thigh and knees

Hold the ball for a maximum of 3 seconds
Place the ball from one hand to the other
Pass the ball whilst standing, sitting, kneeling or lying on the ground
Stop the ball with one or two hands then catch it without moving

Touch the ball more than once unless it touches the ground, another player, or the goal, is fumbled, or placed from one hand to the other
Touch the ball intentionally with his leg (i.e. below the knee)
Dive for the ball as it lies or rolls along the ground
Deliberately play the ball over the side or goal line

A player may only take three steps while holding the ball. He may then stop, bounce the ball once with one hand and then take a further three steps. He may bounce the ball repeatedly with one hand while standing or running. Having caught the ball, however, he is allowed three steps and three seconds to hold it before passing or shooting. He may catch; bounce the ball again when it has touched another player or the goal. There is no limit on the number of steps between bouncing and recatching the ball. A player can, if he wishes, roll the ball along the ground with one hand.

Use hands and arms to block or gain possession of the ball
Use an open hand to play the ball away from an opponent
Use the body to obstruct an opponent whether or not he is in possession of the ball
Enter into bodily contact with an opponent, when facing him and with bent arms, as well as to control and shadow the opponent

Pull or hit the ball out of the hand of an opponent
Block or force away an opponent with arms, hands or legs
Reach around, hold, push, run or jump into an opponent
Deliberately throw the ball at an opponent or thrust it towards him in a feint classed as dangerous

For ungentlemanly conduct, dangerous play, or repeated infringements a player may be:

Cautioned - the player remains on court
Suspended for 2 minutes - the suspended player leaves the court for 2 minutes and may not be replaced for the duration of the suspension
Disqualified from the game - the disqualified player may take no further part in the game but may be replaced by another player after 2 minutes
Excluded from the game - the excluded player may take no further part in the game and may not be replaced by another player

Suspensions not completed in one period of play are carried over into the subsequent period of play.

The goalkeeper throws the ball out from inside the goal area if the ball crossing the goal line was last played by an attacker or the goalkeeper himself.

Opponents must be outside the 9-metre free throw line. The ball is considered in play when it crosses the goal area line.

This is awarded when the whole of the ball crosses the sideline. The throw is taken from where the ball crosses the line by a member of the team in opposition to that of the player who last touched the ball.

A corner throw is awarded when a defender (other than the goalkeeper) last touched the ball before it crossed the goal line. The throw is taken at the junction of the sideline and the goal line, on the side that the ball went out of play. The player throwing must keep one foot on the sideline and may not play the ball until it touches another player or the goal. Opponents must be at least 3 metres from the ball.

Illegally entering or leaving the court
Illegally playing the ball
Illegal defence, obstruction or tackling
Deliberately playing the ball out of play
Stepping into the goal area
Minor infringements by the goalkeeper
Ungentlemanly conduct
Infringements at set throws
Passive play

The free throw may be taken immediately from the place of the offence, without waiting for the referees whistle. For offences committed between the 6 and 9 metre lines, the resultant free throw is taken from the nearest point outside the free throw line. No attackers may cross the 9-metre line until the throw is taken. Defenders, as always, must be at least 3 metres from the ball. If the throw is delayed then it must be executed within three seconds of the referees whistle. The taker must keep one foot on the floor and may not touch the ball again until it has touched the goals or another player. A goal may be scored direct from a free throw.

Destroying a clear chance of the opposition scoring a goal
Intentionally entering the goal area for defensive purposes
Intentionally playing the ball to ones own goalkeeper
The goalkeeper carrying the ball in to his own area

One foot of the thrower must remain in contact with the floor during the execution of the throw, which is taken from the 7-metre penalty line (fig 1). The thrower may not touch or cross this 7-metre line until the ball has left his hand. The throw must be taken within 3 seconds of the referees whistle. The goalkeeper may move in his area but must remain at least 3 metres from the thrower. Attackers stand outside the 9-metre free throw line and must be at least 3 metres from the thrower. Defenders must also stand outside the 9-metre line.

Both teams commit an offence simultaneously
The game is interrupted for any reason
The ball touches the ceiling or any fixture above the playing area

The referee throws the ball vertically into the air between two players - one from each team. All other players must be at least 3 metres from the ball. The throw is taken from the spot the interruption took place. If the interruption took place between the 6 and 9 metre lines, the throw is taken from the nearest point outside the 9-metre line.

Two referees operating a dual system, responsible for enforcing the laws and for the smooth running of the game
A time keeper for controlling the timing of the game, suspensions and entry of players
A scorekeeper who keeps a record of the game